Light Topdressing on Greens- Thursday, June 23rd

Greens were lightly topdressed with sand on Thursday, June 23rd. Six staff members were needed to complete the process, and their work was completed in the following order (photos to follow text); Mow and groomed greens, topdressed with sand, dragged the sand into grass with a mat, mowed the green for second time to mow off any grass stood up by dragging, cut a new cup location and cleaned out the cup, watered green for four minutes to wash sand off and reduce sand particles on grass leaves. 

 

Conditions weren't ideal as a light mist filled the air at times during the morning. However, they needed it, especially with all of the rain we've received lately, which has accelerated growth and slowed ball roll considerably. The process went very well.

 

The benefits of this process include; a smoother surface, increased ball roll or speed, reduction of thatch, better drainage, and protection of the plants from mower damage. We typically topdress greens every two to four weeks, depending on the health and growth of the grass and the golf calendar. It will be necessary to topdress again the week before the Heritage Invitational which begins on July14th. Greens can be expected to be at their best shortly after a topdressing. The following photographs show some of the equipment and process used. Greens should increase in speed over the next few days if we can begin to control the amount of water placed on the green as opposed to Mother Nature doing it for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dakota Pinnacle and Zestar Apple Trees Planted on Golf Course

Ten new trees were planted on the golf course this week. Six Dakota Pinnacle Birch trees were planted behind the 17th green, and four Zestar Apple trees were planted at separate locations on the course.

The Pinnacle Birch trees are part of the establishment of a new treeline and backdrop to the 17th green. And by the way, we're quite happy with the progress of the green addition there, and have started locating cups near the additions. Dakota Pinnacle Birch trees are narrow, spire-like trees, developed at North Dakota State University, and will mature to 20-30' X 6-10'. Perfect for the narrow stretch of ground between the cart path and the service road behind the 17th green. They're very tough trees, tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, and are very attractive. They have the typical white birch bark, a cute dark green leaf, and dark brown branches. They will also provide a good yellow fall color behind this green.

Minnesota Valley had at one time, many apple trees that members could count on for a tasty snack as they played the course. Nearly all of those trees are gone now, so we thought it would be nice to add several eating variety apple trees at various locations on the course. You'll find these trees next to the cooler station on the 4th tee, between the 10th green and 11 tee, next to the 14th tees, and next to the on-course refreshment house next to the 15th tee. The Zestar Apple is an early apple with crisp, juicy fruit and tart flavor. It has better storage ability than most early apples and is good for eating and cooking. My better half, Shelby, and I, picked three pecks of them at an orchard near Winsted last fall and enjoyed them well into winter. Zestars were developed at the University of Minnesota and will grow to 18' X 18'.

While I'm writing about trees, it's also worth mentioning the great performance of the six Princeton Elms we planted last year on #13, 14, and 15. These trees are fast growers, disease resistant, and rated one of the best new elms. Take a close look at all of these tree varieties as you play the course. I highly recommend each of them for planting.

Audubon Society Sign

You may have noticed the new addition to the flower bed under the flowering crab near #1 Tee. Last week, we installed a sign recognizing Minnesota Valley Country Club's dedication to the Audubon Sanctuary Program. Minnesota Valley is a leader amongst fellow clubs involved in the Sanctuary Program, we are very proud of this and felt adding a sign that every member and guest who visits our club becomes aware of the club's dedication to the Audubon Sanctuary Program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sign was custom made by Redwood Signs in Osseo, MN. They did a great job, and we are quite pleased with the look after it was installed. Redwood Signs also made two new pesticide application signs that will be posted any time spray applications are made.

Speaking of the Audubon Sanctuary Program, look forward to a new blog post in the coming days with an update of our Bluebird Trail. Reports are coming back very encouraging and we should have some great photos to share soon.

On Course Projects

Over the past week a couple of projects on the course have begun. Work has started on re-seeding our turf nursery. Over the past couple of years nearly all of the nursery has been used up. Around 4,000 square feet of the nearly 15,000 of available space remains. Some minor grading and soil work has been done to prepare for bentgrass seed, which will be put down in the coming days. The turf nursery is a vital tool for many projects that are completed at Minnesota Valley. Turf from our nursery is used on numerous projects such as turf renovations due to loss of turf over winter, new tee construction and green renovation and expansion. Many "plugs" are often taken from the nursery throughout the season to repair small, minor blemishes on the putting surfaces.

The following photo shows the large size of the turf nursery, all of the soil in the photo will soon be seeded and maintained as a regular putting green.

Area to be seeded in foreground, existing sod in back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work has also begun on improving the perennial bed that was added last year on #8 Tee. We found that during heavy rains much, if not all of the mulch and much of the soil would wash out the bottom of the bed onto the cart path. Timbers are being added to hold the mulch and lessen the slope. Soil will be added on the back side of the timbers and some plants will be added. We feel this bed has been a nice addition to the course, with a little improvement it will improve it even more.